Legislative Building Committee

Wednesday, February 11, 2026·37m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Legislative Building Committee voted to resume planning on the Legislative Hall addition project after a suspension ordered in May 2025, while also receiving an informational update on the parking garage project, which has an awarded contractor and an approximately $23 million bid.

Key Actions

·Parking Garage Project – Construction Status UpdateNo Vote

+ 2 more actions

Controversies

Whether to formally delay parking lot closure to preserve parking during end of legislative session

Senator Townsend argued it would make sense to shift construction out by a couple of months to avoid disturbing the parking lot during May and June, since the garage would not be finished in time for the following May and June anyway. Phil Contrary pushed back, stating he would not automatically slide the schedule because doing so would only further push the project down the pike, and suggested letting any delay occur organically given the permitting process had not yet concluded. Jennifer from VFM agreed with Phil Contrary's position. No formal delay was voted on.

Notable Quotes

“There is not a scenario we see where you say can we just start three months later, six months later, if there is a delay, you must move one full year. Unless you have some drastic changes, such as we're going to vacate large portions of this building, etc.”
Phil Contrary, Studio Jade — Phil Contrary was explaining the scheduling constraints for the Legislative Hall addition project, warning the committee that any delay beyond the design team's two-month absorption window would force the entire construction schedule to slip by a full year.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Approval of May 5, 2025 meeting minutesPassed

Yes (16)Mr. Gray, Mr. Brown, Representative Bush, Mr. Chatterton, Mr. Petrono, Mr. Deputy, Representative Dukes, Mr. Dunphy, Mr. Finnegan, Chief Thompson, Ms. Killen, Ms. Levin, Secretary Patterson, Senator Pettyjohn, Mr. Puffer, Senator Townsend

Absent (1)Ms. Miller

Motion to resume work on the design and planning of the Legislative Hall addition project, and for the Chair and Vice Chair to give an update to Legislative Council at their February 20 meeting regarding the actions taken here today by the Legislative Building CommitteePassed

Yes (15)Mr. Gray, Mr. Brown, Representative Bush, Mr. Chatterton, Mr. Cotrona, Mr. Deputy, Representative Dukes, Mr. Dunphy, Mr. Finnegan, Ms. Killen, Secretary Patterson, Senator Pettyjohn, Mr. Puffer, Chief Thompson, Senator Townsend

Absent (1)Ms. Miller

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TranscriptPreview

Good morning, everybody. I'd like to welcome you to the Legislative Building Committee, which was created under Section 18 of the 2024 Bond and Capital Improvement Acts. That's Senate Bill 160 and reauthorized this year in the mini Bond bill, which was House Bill 270. And our aim is to work with the Division of Facilities Management, Architects, general contractors and others involved in the design, construction and furnishing of the addition to and the parking lot for Legislative Hall. I'm Rich Puffer, Chief Clerk of the House, and I'm chair of the Committee this year, the even year. Next to me is Ryan Dunphy. He is Secretary of the Senate, Vice Chair of the Committee during the even numbered years. This meeting is being held in person and virtually and is being broadcast on the General Assembly's website. Members of the public with questions or comments about the meeting, please direct those to dgareceptionelaware.gov that's dgareceptionelaware.Gov or call the Division of Legislative Services at 302-744-4114. That's 302-744-4114. Additionally, there will be opportunity for public comment at the end of this meeting, and you're certainly welcome to share your comments if you so desire. With that being said, I'd like…

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